Working Breed

The Mastiff is probably the biggest dog in the world. In 1989 Guinness recorded an 8-year old Mastiff named Zorba at 343 pounds, standing 37 inches at the shoulder and 8 foot 3 inches from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail. While your Mastiff will probably not break this record, it will be a BIG dog - something to remember when you start training it as a puppy. Mastiffs make good family dogs and are great with children (although their size could cause injury to younger kids). They need the same exercise strategy as a human - starting mild and then increasing. Or, it is just as happy curling up on the rug. A good guard dog that will use its bulk to prevent access rather than resorting to more aggressive methods. Mastiffs will enjoy the company of other pets if they were properly socialized as a puppy. Their short coat is easy to groom with only occasional brushing.